Darkhorse MVP Candidates
By: Jake Rajala
There is a plethora of underrated MVP candidates at Week 6 of the season. So, I’m going to lay out several darkhorse MVP candidates.
Bryce Young
Bryce Young has really elevated his game from last season. Young is sixth in passing yards and seventh in passing touchdowns. Most importantly, he has a record of 3-2. His division is quite weak, as the Panthers are the only team with a winning record. This is an huge advantage for the former first overall pick. He’s proving that height doesn’t matter.
Aaron Rodgers
A-Rod is heating up at the perfect time. He won in OT last week and he plays a weak Saints team in Paris in Week 7. Rodgers is finding DK Metcalf in key moments, regardless of the attention he grabs from defenses. Rodgers is eighth in passing yards and fourth in passing touchdowns. Every team in the AFC North has a winning record, so there should be a lot of props for winning in a division like that.
Trevor Lawrence
Similar to Young, Trevor Lawrence is proving he deserved to be a first overall pick. T-Lawrence is tied for first in touchdown passes. He is 10th in passing yards, which is slightly less important. Travis Hunter may be getting more involved on offense, as well. Most importantly, he has a record of 4-2. He should clean up in his weak division more often.
Jahmyr Gibbs
We all know Kenneth Walker could win MVP. Well, let’s talk about Jahmyr Gibbs. He is arguably the most electric RB in the league. He is fifth in rushing yards and he’s averaged 4.8 YPC. Furthermore, he has only played in five games, which is a game fewer than three of the Top-5 RBs in rushing yards. He also has several rushing touchdowns. He reminds me a lot of Alvin Kamara.
Chris Olave
Chris Olave is second in the league in receiving yards. The only wideout ahead of him is none other than Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Tyler Shough will live and die by leaning on Olave. He was second team All-Pro last season. I believe he can be first team All-Pro and potentially more in 2026. Kellen Moore knows he’s on the hot seat, so I expect him to design more plays to get Olave the ball.
Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry did have a fumble last week, but it was his first fumble on the year. So, we can forgive him. We still see him dragging defenders. He has 534 rushing yards and several touchdowns. It may sound strange, but I’d like to see him have fewer carries. He can be more fresh for the fourth quarter.
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